POKHARA, JANUARY 25
Substitute forward Rajeev Gurung scored the solitary goal as Tribhuvan Army Football Club defeated Three Star Club 1-0 in the quarter-final match of the 20th Aaha-Rara Gold Cup here at the Pokhara Stadium today.
After a goalless first half, Gurung broke the deadlock in the 70th minute, six minutes after entering the pitch in place of midfielder Tanka Basnet. Fed by striker George Prince Karki after Three Star defender Jeevan Gurung slipped on the pitch, Rajeev Gurung slammed home from 35 yards out at a time when goalkeeper Guillaume Yves Priso was out of his position.
Earlier, Tribhuvan Army FC missed a chance to take an early lead after striker George Prince Karki failed to convert in one-onone situation with Three Star goalkeeper Priso in the eighth minute.
Karki was fed by Tanka Karki after the midfielder snatched the ball from Nishan Khadka.
Five-time winners Three Star came close to breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute but Mikchhen Tamang's shot from outside the box went inches wide off the post.
George Prince Karki was denied by Priso for the second time when the Three Star custodian saved the Army Club striker's goal-bound free kick in the 43rd minute. The luck was not part of Karki as Priso brilliantly punched out his powerful free kick from 25 yards out. Karki came close to scoring again in the 77th minute and this time around he shot inches wide off the second bar.
Three Star created a chance to level the scores in the 85th minute but Army goalkeeper Bikesh Kuthu punched back Mikchhen Tamang's corner before Army skipper Bharat Khawas headed out an attempt from Laken Limbu in rebound.
Tribhuvan Army FC will face Manang Marshyangdi Club on Thursday for a place in the final of the prestigious tournament of mufussil. Machhindra Football Club will play against Nepal APF Club in the first semi-final match on Wednesday. The final is slated for Saturday.
A total of 10 teams took part in the tournament organised by Sahara Club. The winners will be richer by one million, while the runners-up will get Rs 501,000.
The organisers will use the profit earned from the tournament for Surya Bahadur KC Memorial Sahara Football Academy, which has been providing shelter, education and football training to orphans.
A version of this article appears in the print on January 26, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
